Al Joumhouria” News Summary”
Friday, 08-Mar-2024 22:13

Israel continued its bombardment of southern Lebanese border areas, while Hezbollah targeted its sites and gatherings with appropriate weapons, causing direct and confirmed casualties.

 

Simultaneously, Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib stated that Beirut continues its efforts aimed at containing the escalation between Hezbollah and Israel. He warned that the key to stability in Lebanon and the region lies in comprehensive and sustainable solutions according to international decisions and international law to exit this crisis and aggression.

 

Regionally, the war in Gaza entered its 154th day under tragic conditions in both the northern and southern sectors. Negotiations continue on multiple levels to reach an agreement for a ceasefire and the entry of aid before Ramadan.

 

According to informed sources within negotiation circles and Arab decision-making, Netanyahu's stubbornness will likely prevent reaching a ceasefire. He has a plan to prolong the war for two consecutive years until "eliminating Hamas." This plan involves continuing Israeli military presence for eight years, transforming the situation in Gaza to resemble that of the West Bank in terms of security and military control, and forming an authority in Gaza similar to that in the West Bank, based primarily on accepting security coordination with Israel to facilitate the settlement process. This plan aims to help Netanyahu stay in power and achieve Israel's goals of eliminating Hamas's dominance and political control in Gaza, preventing the rebuilding of its military capabilities, and maintaining the status quo.

 

In this context, Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades, stated that the war on Gaza has entered its sixth month, with Israel continuing to perpetrate a Nazi-like massacre against our people. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Health in Gaza criticized the international community for ignoring the ongoing Israeli violations against Palestinian women.

 

Israeli media reported that Palestinians fired shots at an Israeli army site between Jenin and Nablus. After a pursuit operation, an army force was targeted with an explosive device, resulting in injuries to four soldiers.

 

Next Sunday, Saudi Arabia will host a six-party Arab meeting to discuss ending the war in Gaza, providing aid, and planning the next phase for establishing a Palestinian state. Media sources indicate that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, and Palestine will participate in the meeting.

 

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned the Human Rights Council of the UN about the expansion of settlements by Israel, which constitutes forced displacement under international law, potentially amounting to a war crime.

 

The US Central Command announced strikes against four anti-ship cruise missiles and drones launched by the Houthis from areas under their control in Yemen.

 

Internationally, dozens of activists supporting Palestine protested against Israel's military operation in Gaza at the entrance of Congress, causing President Biden to take a longer route than usual from the White House to Congress.

 

President Biden stated in his State of the Union address to Congress that the defensive alliance established by the United States in the Red Sea aims to contain the Iranian threat. He emphasized that creating stability in the Middle East means containing the threat posed by Iran, hence the establishment of an alliance comprising more than twelve countries to defend international shipping and navigation in the Red Sea.

 

Furthermore, the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, called for maximum military restraint regarding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

 

French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu affirmed that discussions about the possibility of sending Western forces to Ukraine do not include sending troops to participate in battles there.

 

President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides announced that Cyprus's maritime corridor aims to expedite the transfer of aid to Gaza and alleviate pressure on land routes

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